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A Level Genetics Workshop

25 April 2019

At the end of the spring term the Abingdon Science Partnership warmly welcomed back researchers from the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics to run their workshop for the second time this year, on this occasion with A Level biology students from Fitzharrys and Abingdon School.

The day-long workshop covered the principles of genetic sequencing with students learning to use lab equipment such as a PCR machine and pipettes to carry out their own investigation. Students were also given an insight into the mathematics of genetic sequencing through an interesting version of the game 'Chinese whispers'!

The practical activities of the workshop were interspersed with hugely varied stories from each of the researchers about their career path and how they came to be in the position they are today.

Abingdon School student Leo Tan remarked, “The workshop was extremely beneficial for me and all of us in many different ways. The most useful thing for me was when the researchers shared their experiences, from when they were at my age to what they have become now. Most of them didn't know what they actually wanted to do in the future, which reflects many A level students. I found it particularly interesting and I have learnt there are uncountable possibilities in the future.”

We look forward to running this workshop for new A Level biology students next year.